Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-01-07

already felt that my position was . false
one. q
II have thought already that I was
not justified in remaining where have
no work to do, I said. ~ was speak
ing about it to Miss Beaufoy . few days
ago. - "a 81 If. # 5zs5|S5.y
"And as I found Mr.. Coplestone very
useful" said she, II begged him to
remain" :7 ss .
(Which was the more ready to do, {"
said I, ''as there seem strong hopes that
Miss Fortescue will very soon be able to
resume her musical studies. .F'<*A..-
At this the Basilisk again smiled
slightly. s.S.
"You acted rightly" said Mr.. Beau
toy, more and more sassimilating his
voice and manner to the sombre POM
pousness OF the room. s.You were
quite right, and your views on the sub
ject were most creditable to you. But
circumstances are now changed, and,
as Miss Fortescue has left us, I must
beg youto consider yourself at liberty to
seek another engagement.
miss Fortescue has left your" l
enquired, bewildered.
"Miss Fortescue set off this afternoon
for Pyrmont, where, trust, she will be
completely restored to health
This blow completely staggered me.
My head swan with the force of con-
flicting emotions. Mr.. Beaufoy's voice
went on buzzing in my ears, and his
daughter answered him, but for a
minute or twoI attached no meaning
to their words. Mary Fortescue gone!
And to Pyrmont! Perhaps with Plowitz
anyhow to his relations, to be more or less
in his power! I rallied from the shock as
we'll as could, and endeavored to COL
lect myself, and to summon discretion
to my aid. I heard again the words
that were being spoken, and realized
the meaning of what was said.
THAT must be for Mr.. Coplestone to
decide" Mr.. Beaufoy was saying, in
a very peevish voice, from which all
trace of the magnificent suavity had
gone.
Mr.. Coplestone has already decided, :"
said the Basilisk; she is to stay"
livery we'll, my DEAR" rsjoined her
father. The surrender was complete,
though anything but willing.
Miss Beaufoy had evidently insisted
on my remaining. had nothing what
ever to say in the matter. My only
desire was for little time to think
matters over by myself, and form some
practicalplan. The only resource Icould
think of at the moment was DR.. Shaw.
Meantime did not care to discuss the
question of my future movements with
those whom regarded as my enemies.
Any further conversation on the sub
ject was stopped by the approach of a
subeued and obsequious attendant,
who murmured a message into Mr..
Beaufoy's ear.
"Canon Crumbley." said he. "By
all means!' And he rose with some
haste, and advanced to meet a portly
ecclesiastic who was coming across the
room.
Canon Crumbley was a large man,
of great influence in certain semi-eccle-
siastical social-improvement circles, a
large and comfortable man, of u most
appeasing aspect. 1t was hard TO say
which made the most ur bane fuss over
the other-thc Canon or Mr.. Beaufoy.
The upshot of tho meeting was that I
was consigned to the care of Hardy to
be driven home, while the Canon car
ried off Mr., and Miss Bcaufoy, insist
ing that they should dine with him,
and renew an old friendship with his
wife.
l was glad to be alone; but in tho
solitude of the homcward drive my
thoughts soon became unbearable. The
abduction of Mary Fortcscuc-for such
it must virtually have bccn-was tho
one terrible subject. How could I
even tell that sho was going to Pyr-
mont? How, knowing it was a fact,
could l trace. follow; help, rescue her?
1t was nearly dark when I arrived ut
Hanover Lodge. Hardy helped me to
alight, and saw me safe into Inc hall
before he drove away again.
As stood alone in the hall. in blank
of thought. II slight noise on the stairs
caught my car. l looked up. Once
more l bclcll the phenomenon of the
folding staircase. From the chasm re-
vcalcd in the wall plowitz stepped forth.
As he did 50 tho stairs slowly and noise
lessly resumed their place behind them.
He came down greeting mo with .
loud voice as he came.
"Ah, my dear Mr.. Coplestone! You
back alone? What have you done with
your companion?'
. briefly explained that they had
stayed for a while to see an old friend.
l noticed that Plowitz's heartiness,
which was generally easy enough, il
not natural, was now strained, and
that he looked vexed and worried.
He came into the library with me,
and threw himself into chair.
$50 you have lost your pupil, Mr..
Coplestonep', he said.
$50 hear" I replied.
"Ah," he said, with shudder, ''it Ia
duller than ever. How hate working
alone!''
"You should have come to London
with u.s." I suggested.
II could not; / had work to do
here" And, rather inconsistency, he
got up, sighed heavily, and went of
through the partitioned door, slamming
it heavily behind him.
1 followed in a minute, and walked
slowly up the stairs. I reached the foot
OF the small flight which I had twice
seen fold back. An examination,
searching though hurried. revealed
what were probably the points of juno
ton. but I could find no trace of levers
to work the machinery. -=J., 2 w.
But in deep stiffness of the house, %
| gazed at the panelling, intent on find
ing some clue to the mystery, my ear, on
the strain for the least alarm, caught
distinctly the sound of a woman's sobs.
Whence it came I could not determine.
But somewhere not far off / felt sure
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